Folding mechanism and a sofa

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure discloses a folding mechanism and a sofa. The folding mechanism connects a storage portion and a support portion and comprises a first link bar, a second link bar, a third link bar, and a fourth link bar. The first link bar and the third link bar are respectively pivotally connected to the support portion. The second link bar and the fourth link bar are respectively pivotally connected to the storage portion. The first link bar and the third link bar are pivotally connected, the second link bar and the fourth link bar are pivotally connected, and the second link bar and the third link bar are pivotally connected.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application 201910205367.X, filed on Mar. 18, 2019. Chinese Patent Application 201910205367.X is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to the field of household products and in particular to a folding mechanism of a storage portion and a sofa.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

In existing folding mechanisms of a storage portion, such as disclosed in Chinese Patents CN201480633U and CN2577688Y, a turnover panel comprises a support frame and a panel. The support frame is disposed with a first connecting member, and the panel is disposed with a second connecting member. A first end of a lower bending piece is movably connected to a lower end of the first connecting member, and a second end of the lower bending piece is movably connected to an internal end of the second connecting member. A first end of an upper bending piece is movably connected to an upper end of the first connecting member, and a second end of the upper bending piece is movably connected to an external end of the second connecting member. The above-mentioned folding mechanism of a storage portion has poor support stability and is not sufficiently smooth during folding and unfolding.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides a folding mechanism and a sofa to solve deficiencies of the existing techniques.

One of the technical solutions adopted by the present disclosure to solve the aforementioned technical problems is a folding mechanism connecting a storage portion and a support portion. The folding mechanism comprises a first link bar, a second link bar, a third link bar, and a fourth link bar. The first link bar and the third link bar are respectively pivotally connected to the support portion. The second link bar and the fourth link bar are respectively pivotally connected to the storage portion. The first link bar and the third link bar are pivotally connected, the second link bar and the fourth link bar are pivotally connected, and the second link bar and the third link bar are pivotally connected.

In a preferred embodiment, a first end of the first link bar and a first end of the third link bar are respectively pivotally connected to the support portion. A first end of the second link bar and a first end of the fourth link bar are respectively pivotally connected to the storage portion. A second end of the first link bar and a second end of the third link bar are pivotally connected. A second end of the second link bar and a second end of the fourth link bar are pivotally connected.

In a preferred embodiment, the second link bar, the third link bar, the fourth link bar, and the storage portion cooperate to form a first four-bar linkage.

In a preferred embodiment, the first link bar, the second link bar, the third link bar, and the support portion cooperate to form a second four-bar linkage.

In a preferred embodiment, the second link bar, the third link bar, the fourth link bar, and the storage portion cooperate to form a first four-bar linkage, and the first link bar, the second link bar, the third link bar, and the support portion cooperate to form a second four-bar linkage.

In a preferred embodiment, the folding mechanism further comprises a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism is connected to the first link bar to drive the first link bar to rotate.

In a preferred embodiment, the driving mechanism comprises a driving portion and an abutting portion slidably connected to the driving portion. The driving portion is pivotally connected to the support portion, and the abutting portion is pivotally connected to the first link bar.

In a preferred embodiment, the driving mechanism comprises an electric push rod, and a push rod of the electric push rod is the abutting portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the storage portion comprises a sensor for determining whether an object is present on the storage portion, and the sensor is communicatively connected to the driving mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment, the storage portion comprises a storage surface and a protrusion base protruding from the storage surface. The sensor is disposed on the protrusion base, and the sensor is at least one of an infrared sensor, a microwave sensor, a laser sensor configured to determine whether the object is present on the storage portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the storage portion comprises a sensor for determining whether an object is present on the storage portion. At least one of the storage portion or the support portion comprises an alarm unit, and the sensor is communicatively connected to the alarm unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the storage portion comprises a storage panel.

In a preferred embodiment, the storage portion comprises a storage panel and a fixed base fixed to a back surface of the storage panel, and the second link bar and the fourth link bar are pivotally connected to the fixed base of the storage portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the storage portion comprises a wireless charging module.

A second technical scheme in the present disclosure to solve the aforementioned technical problems is a folding mechanism connecting a storage portion and a support portion. The folding mechanism comprises a first link bar, a second link bar, a third link bar, and a fourth link bar. The second link bar, the third link bar, the fourth link bar, and the storage portion cooperate to form a first four-bar linkage. The first link bar, the second link bar, the third link bar, and the support portion cooperate to form a second four-bar linkage.

A third technical scheme in the present disclosure to solve the aforementioned technical problems is a sofa comprising a sofa body comprising a support portion and a folding mechanism. The folding mechanism connects a storage portion and the support portion. The folding mechanism comprises a first link bar, a second link bar, a third link bar, and a fourth link bar. The first link bar and the third link bar are respectively pivotally connected to the support portion. The second link bar and the fourth link bar are respectively pivotally connected to the storage portion. The first link bar and the third link bar are pivotally connected, the second link bar and the fourth link bar are pivotally connected, and the second link bar and the third link bar are pivotally connected.

In a preferred embodiment, the sofa body comprises a seat portion and two armrest portions respectively located at opposite sides of the seat portion. A first armrest portion of the two armrest portions is disposed with the support portion.

In a preferred embodiment, an outer wall of the first armrest portion is recessed to define an accommodating chamber. The storage portion is movable between an unfolded state and a folded state by the folding mechanism. The storage portion and the folding mechanism are located in the accommodating chamber when the storage portion is in the folded state.

In a preferred embodiment, the folding mechanism further comprises a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism is connected to the first link bar to drive the first link bar to rotate. The first armrest portion comprises a control panel, and the control panel is communicatively connected to the driving mechanism.

Compared with existing techniques, the technical solution provided by the present disclosure has the following advantages.

The first link bar and the third link bar are respectively pivotally connected to the support portion, and the second link bar and the fourth link bar are respectively pivotally connected to the storage portion. The first link bar and the third link bar are pivotally connected, and the second link bar and the third link bar are also pivotally connected. The folding and unfolding of the storage portion are smooth, labor-saving, and convenient, and support of the storage portion is stable and reliable.

The second link bar, the third link bar, the fourth link bar, and the storage portion cooperate to form a first four-bar linkage, and the first link bar, the second link bar, the third link bar, and the supporting portion cooperate to form a second four-bar linkage. The folding and unfolding of the storage portion are smooth, labor-saving, and convenient, and support of the storage portion is stable and reliable.

The driving mechanism is connected to the first link bar to drive the first link bar to rotate, which can realize automatic folding and unfolding of the folding mechanism without manual operation, and the storage portion is convenient to use.

The driving mechanism comprises an electric push rod, and the push rod of the electric push rod forms an abutting portion. The electric push rod can realize self-locking to ensure that the storage portion is maintained in an unfolded state or a folded state.

The second link bar and the fourth link bar are pivotally connected to the fixed base of the storage portion for convenient assembly and high connection strength.

The outer wall of the first armrest portion is recessed to define an accommodating chamber, and the storage portion and the folding mechanism i are located in the accommodating chamber when the storage portion is in the folded state, thereby increasing the use of space and providing an attractive appearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The present disclosure will be further described below with the combination of the accompanying drawings and the embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a storage panel of a sofa of Embodiment 1 in an unfolded state.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the storage panel of the sofa of the Embodiment 1 in a half-folded state.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the storage panel of the sofa of the Embodiment 1 in a folded state.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a folding mechanism of the Embodiment 1, in which the storage panel is indicated by a broken line.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing the folding mechanism of the Embodiment 1 in an unfolded state.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the folding mechanism of the Embodiment 1 in a half-folded state.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the folding mechanism of the Embodiment 1 in a folded state.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a folding mechanism of Embodiment 2 in a folded state.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a folding mechanism of Embodiment 3 in a folded state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1

Referring to FIGS. 4-7, a folding mechanism connects a storage portion 10 and a support portion 20. The folding mechanism comprises a first link bar 31, a second link bar 32, a third link bar 33, a fourth link bar 34, and a driving mechanism 40. A first end of the first link bar 31 and a first end of the third link bar 33 are respectively pivotally connected to the support portion 20. A first end of the second link bar 32 and a first end of the fourth link bar 34 are respectively pivotally connected to the storage portion 10. A second end of the first link bar 31 and a second end of the third link bar 33 are pivotally connected, and a second end of the second link bar 32 and a second end of the fourth link bar 34 are pivotally connected. The second link bar 32 and the third link bar 33 are also pivotally connected to make the second link bar 32, the third link bar 33, the fourth link bar 34, and the storage portion 10 cooperate to form a first four-bar linkage. The first link bar 31, the second link bar 32, the third link bar 33, and the support portion 20 cooperate to form a second four-bar linkage. The first four-bar linkage and the second four-bar linkage are linked together. The driving mechanism 40 drives the first link bar 31 to rotate relative to the support portion 20.

In this embodiment, the storage portion 10 comprises a storage panel 11 and a fixed base 12 fixed to a back surface of the storage panel 11. The second link bar 32 and the fourth link bar 34 are respectively pivotally connected to the fixed base 12 of the storage portion 10. The storage panel 11 is a table panel or other storage component, such as a cup holder, a bracket, or the like.

The driving mechanism 40 comprises a driving portion 41 and an abutting portion 42 slidably connected to the driving portion 41. The driving portion 41 is pivotally connected to the support portion 20, and the abutting portion 42 is pivotally connected to the first link bar 31. In this way, sliding of the abutting portion 42 with respect to the driving portion 41 controls rotation of the first link bar 31 and controls folding and unfolding of the folding mechanism. In some embodiments, other driving mechanisms may be employed, such as a driving gear and a driven gear that is synchronously rotatably connected to a rotating shaft of the first link bar 31. The driving gear and the driven gear may engage to drive the first link bar 31 to rotate to control the folding and unfolding of the folding mechanism. In the specific embodiment, the driving mechanism 40 is an electric push rod, and a push rod of the electric push rod constitutes the abutting portion 42. The driving mechanism 40 can also adopt other mechanisms, such as a hydraulic putter or a pneumatic putter, for example.

In this embodiment, the storage panel 11 comprises a sensor 101 for determining whether an object is present on the storage panel 11. The sensor 101 is communicatively connected to the driving mechanism 40. The driving mechanism 40 is controlled to keep the storage portion 10 in an in-use state when the storage portion 10 is in an unfolded state and the sensor 101 determines that an object is present on the storage portion 10, thereby preventing the driving mechanism 40 from driving the storage portion 10 to move to a non-use state and thereby preventing the object from falling to the ground. In the embodiment, the storage panel 11 has a storage surface 110 (i.e., a top surface when the storage portion 10 in the unfolded state) from which a protrusion base 111 protrudes. The sensor 101 is disposed on the protrusion base 111. The sensor 101 may be an infrared sensor 13 for determining whether an object is present on the storage panel 11, and may be arranged parallel to a length of the protrusion base 111. The infrared sensor 13 is configured to emit infrared rays, and when an infrared ray encounters an obstacle, feedback is provided to the infrared sensor 13. The infrared sensor 13 is configured to determine whether an object is present on the storage surface 110 according to whether feedback is received or not. When no feedback is received, no object is present on the storage surface 110. Other sensors, such as microwave sensors or laser sensors, can be used for the sensor 101 instead of or in addition to the infrared sensor 13. For example, a pressure sensor 14 may be provided on the storage surface 110 to determine whether there is an object present on the storage surface 110.

In the specific embodiment, the storage portion 10 comprises a wireless charging module 60 to provide a wireless charging function for an electronic device resting on the storage panel 11.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a sofa comprises a sofa body and the folding mechanism, and the sofa body is disposed with the support portion 20. The sofa body comprises a seat portion 21, two armrest portions 22 respectively located at opposite sides of the seat portion 21, and a back portion 23 provided at a rear of the seat portion 21. A first armrest portion of the two armrest portions 22 is disposed with the support portion 20. An outer wall of the first armrest portion of the two armrest portions 22 is recessed to define an accommodating chamber 221, and the storage portion 10 is movable between the unfolded state and a folded state by the folding mechanism. When the storage portion 10 is in the folded state, the folding mechanism and the storage panel 11 are located in the accommodating chamber 221. When the storage portion 10 is in the unfolded state, the storage panel 11 partially overlaps a top surface of the first armrest portion of the two armrest portions 22. This configuration causes the storage panel 11 to avoid interacting with the top surface of the first armrest portion of the two armrest portions 22 during the folding and unfolding process while still enabling a user to conveniently use the storage panel 11 in the unfolded state.

In a specific structure, the first armrest portion of the two armrest portions 22 comprises a control panel (the control panel is not shown in FIGS. 1-7), and the control panel is communicatively connected to the driving mechanism 40 to control the storage panel 11 to fold and unfold. In some embodiments, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) charging stand can also be disposed in the control panel.

The folding mechanism of the present embodiment can be used not only for a sofa but also for other household items, such as tables, chairs, beds, and the like.

Embodiment 2

Referring to FIG. 8, this embodiment differs from Embodiment 1 in that a second armrest portion of the two armrest portions 22 comprises a control panel 50, and the control panel 50 is communicatively connected to the driving mechanism 40 to control the storage panel 11 to fold and unfold.

Embodiment 3

Referring to FIG. 9, this embodiment differs from Embodiment 1 in that at least one of the storage portion 10 or the support portion 20 comprises an alarm unit 30, and the sensor 101 is communicatively connected to the alarm unit 30.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A folding mechanism connecting a storage portion and a support portion, the folding mechanism comprising: a first link bar, a second link bar, a third link bar, and a fourth link bar, wherein: the first link bar and the third link bar are respectively pivotally connected to the support portion, the second link bar and the fourth link bar are respectively pivotally connected to the storage portion, the first link bar and the third link bar are pivotally connected, the second link bar and the fourth link bar are pivotally connected, and the second link bar and the third link bar are pivotally connected.
 2. The folding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: a first end of the first link bar and a first end of the third link bar are respectively pivotally connected to the support portion, a first end of the second link bar and a first end of the fourth link bar are respectively pivotally connected to the storage portion, a second end of the first link bar and a second end of the third link bar are pivotally connected, and a second end of the second link bar and a second end of the fourth link bar are pivotally connected.
 3. The folding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the second link bar, the third link bar, the fourth link bar, and the storage portion cooperate to form a first four-bar linkage.
 4. The folding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first link bar, the second link bar, the third link bar, and the support portion cooperate to form a second four-bar linkage.
 5. The folding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: the second link bar, the third link bar, the fourth link bar, and the storage portion cooperate to form a first four-bar linkage, and the first link bar, the second link bar, the third link bar, and the support portion cooperate to form a second four-bar linkage.
 6. The folding mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising: a driving mechanism, wherein the driving mechanism is connected to the first link bar to drive the first link bar to rotate.
 7. The folding mechanism according to claim 6, wherein: the driving mechanism comprises a driving portion and an abutting portion slidably connected to the driving portion, the driving portion is pivotally connected to the support portion, and the abutting portion is pivotally connected to the first link bar.
 8. The folding mechanism according to claim 7, wherein: the driving mechanism comprises an electric push rod, and a push rod of the electric push rod is the abutting portion.
 9. The folding mechanism according to claim 6, wherein: the storage portion comprises a sensor for determining whether an object is present on the storage portion, and the sensor is communicatively connected to the driving mechanism.
 10. The folding mechanism according to claim 9, wherein: the storage portion comprises a storage surface and a protrusion base protruding from the storage surface, the sensor is disposed on the protrusion base, and the sensor is at least one of an infrared sensor, a microwave sensor, or a laser sensor configured to determine whether the object is present on the storage portion.
 11. The folding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: the storage portion comprises a sensor for determining whether an object is present on the storage portion, at least one of the storage portion or the support portion comprises an alarm unit, and the sensor is communicatively connected to the alarm unit.
 12. The folding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the storage portion comprises a storage panel.
 13. The folding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: the storage portion comprises a storage panel and a fixed base fixed to a back surface of the storage panel, and the second link bar and the fourth link bar are pivotally connected to the fixed base of the storage portion.
 14. The folding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the storage portion comprises a wireless charging module.
 15. A folding mechanism connecting a storage portion and a support portion, the folding mechanism comprising: a first link bar, a second link bar, a third link bar, and a fourth link bar, wherein: the second link bar, the third link bar, the fourth link bar, and the storage portion cooperate to form a first four-bar linkage, and the first link bar, the second link bar, the third link bar, and the support portion cooperate to form a second four-bar linkage.
 16. A sofa, comprising: a sofa body comprising a support portion, and a folding mechanism, wherein: the folding mechanism connects a storage portion and the support portion, the folding mechanism comprises a first link bar, a second link bar, a third link bar, and a fourth link bar, the first link bar and the third link bar are respectively pivotally connected to the support portion, the second link bar and the fourth link bar are respectively pivotally connected to the storage portion, the first link bar and the third link bar are pivotally connected, the second link bar and the fourth link bar are pivotally connected, and the second link bar and the third link bar are pivotally connected.
 17. The sofa according to claim 16, wherein: the sofa body comprises a seat portion and two armrest portions respectively located at opposite sides of the seat portion, and a first armrest portion of the two armrest portions is disposed with the support portion.
 18. The sofa according to claim 17, wherein: an outer wall of the first armrest portion is recessed to define an accommodating chamber, the storage portion is movable between an unfolded state and a folded state by the folding mechanism, and the storage portion and the folding mechanism are located in the accommodating chamber when the storage portion is in the folded state.
 19. The sofa according to claim 17, wherein: the folding mechanism further comprises a driving mechanism, the driving mechanism is connected to the first link bar to drive the first link bar to rotate, the first armrest portion comprises a control panel, and the control panel is communicatively connected to the driving mechanism. 